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 A community driven organisation to improve tourism facilities in the Gorey Courtown area. |
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| History
of the Woods Courtown Woodland was planted with oak and ash in 1870. At this time it was part of a typical Victorian estate woodland where exotic conifers and redwoods from California were planted within viewing distance of the house. Oak plantations were established at some distance. They were underplanted with shrubs to provide food for pheasants for shooting parties. The woodland was strictly managed; scrub was regularly cleared and used as firewood by local tenants. |
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During
the 1860's and 1870's, James Stopford, the fifth
Earl of Courtown, established a pinetum, or conifer
collection, in the grounds around Courtown House.
A small number of these trees remain today in the
Woodland and in the Coillte property across the
river. They include Californian Redwood, Swamp Cypress,
Japanese Cedar, Cedar of Lebanon, and a number of
pine, yew and true cypress. During and after the last War most of this oak and ash was felled. The estate lands were acquired by the State and were planted with commercial timber in the late 1950's. The mixed conifer-broadleaf plantings were largely of spruce with some ash. Although these have been neglected over the past twenty years, a comprehensive thinning programme was started in Spring 2000. This has involved felling and thinning many of the commercial conifers and some of the exotic (non-native) deciduous trees. In order to minimise damage, two specially trained horses have been used to help in extracting the timber. In an era of highly mechanised forestry these horses, Kate and Sam, are unique and a delight to watch at work. Eventually it is intended to allow a semi-natural ash woodland develop here. |
Location
and Access The Courtown Woodland area is situated immediately north of Courtown village. It covers approximately 25 hectares and can be accessed either from the Picnic Area, off the Gorey road, or from the car park inCourtown Village.. The area being restored covers 18 hectares and is roughly triangular in shape. It is bounded on the north and north west by the Ounavarra River. On the south by the main Gorey/Courtown road and by the main car park on the north side of the village. The Courtown Canal marks its eastern boundary. Ballintray Bridge on the southwest is a particularly fine feature. It can be viewed, with some difficulty, from within the woodland. Walks In recent years the main walks through the woodlands were the Lime Walk and the Chestnut Walk. Whilst these were magnificent tree-lined walks in the past, they have become neglected in recent years. Several of the limes have been blown down, one of the chestnuts has died and many more are seriously decayed. |
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While the walks were deteriorating, others were disappearing
altogether. The River Walk is the most notable of these.
Until recently, only short sections were visible - the
remainder was either totally overgrown or non-existent. The River Walk is easily accessed from both the Picnic Area and the Car Park in Courtown village. This is a delightful, quiet walk, with fine river views. However care is needed, particularly with children, there are steep steps and slopes beside the river. The Top Walk, accessed from the Picnic Area, overlooks the River Walk in places. There is a short linking path to the Spike Bridge, which allows for crossing in the Coillte Wood on the north side of the river. (This wood is adjacent to the Courtown House site. The brick walls of the old kitchen garden are visible from here.) The Top Walk is particularly magnificent in April as large drifts of bluebells carpet the woodland floor. |
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The
old Gorey/Courtown road runs through the West end
of the Woodland. This is accessed from the Picnic
Area. Follow the sign for the High Cross of Kilbride.
After 140 metres the old Gorey road, running at
right angles, is signposted. It runs down to the
river, to the site of the old Ballinatray Bridge
and the restored River Walk. Work on the walks started in January 1999. Since then much work has been done. This was carried out by Greenworks and a team of dedicated FÁS trainees, (from the County Wexford Partnership CE scheme). Training was supplied by CVI and Greenworks. The FÁS team is now highly skilled and much of the restoration is due to their dilligence. |
Click here for larger image (38K) |
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Gorey Courtown Forest Park Ltd, The Avenue, Gorey, Co. Wexford, Ireland. Tel: +353 (0)53 9422333 Fax: +353 (0)53 9422333 Web Site: http://www.gcforestpark.ie , Email: patodonnell@eircom.net Copyright © Design by: Glasgorman Computer Services, Disclaimer |